CMA Testing Windows and Exam Appointments

Between selecting a CMA testing window and scheduling your testing appointment, selecting a CMA testing date can be stressful. Let us walk you through the process of selecting a testing window, registering for your chosen window, and booking your CMA exam testing appointment.

CMA Testing Windows
Registering for a CMA Testing Window
Finding a CMA Testing Center
Scheduling a CMA Exam Appointment
Prometric Test Drive
Rescheduling Your CMA Exam
CMA Exam Testing Accommodations
Choosing a CMA Testing Window
Picking a CMA Exam Day
What Part of the CMA to Schedule First

When are the CMA exam testing windows?

The CMA exam is offered in three two-month testing periods each year. The testing periods are:

Testing Window 1
January – February

Testing Window 2
May – June

Testing Window 3
September – October

You can register for a testing window until the 15^th of the last month in that period:

Testing Window 1
February 15^th

Testing Window 2
June 15^th

Testing Window 3
October 15^th

Did you mean to get information about applying for the CMA exam?

This page covers how to schedule the CMA exam, including how to register for a CMA testing window. If you’re looking for information on how to join IMA or the CMA program, see our applying for the CMA exam resource page.

How do I schedule an appointment for the CMA exam?

In order to make a CMA exam appointment, you will need to register for a CMA testing window, pay CMA exam fees, select a Prometric testing center or choose remote testing, schedule the CMA exam appointment, and confirm your appointment. This may seem like a lot of steps, but most of them naturally blend into eachother.

We’ll walk you through each of these steps throughout this page and provide you with some helpful tips to keep in mind.

Registering for the CMA exam

Once you have joined IMA and enrolled in the CMA program, you will be eligible to register for the CMA exam. Registering for the CMA exam involves paying your CMA exam fees and selecting a testing window to take your exam.

NOTE: You will not be able to reschedule your CMA exam outside of the testing window you select without forfeiting your fees. In other words, while you can change the exam appointment later on, your exam registration is only valid for the testing window in which you registered. You will have to register for the CMA exam again if you are unable to sit for the exam in the window you originally registered for.

Go to the IMA's CMA website .

Assuming you've already enrolled in IMA, log into your IMA account.

If you have not yet joined IMA, see our detailed instructions on joining IMA.

Select a CMA testing window.

You will be able to select from multiple CMA testing windows, so be sure to carefully look at the month and year of the testing window you select.

Pay for your CMA testing window registration.

Exam registration varies depending on your IMA membership type—$415 for Professionals or $311 for Students and Academics.

Finding a Prometric testing center

Before you schedule an appointment to sit for the CMA exam, you will need to find a testing center if you intend to test in-person. Prometric has thousands of testing centers spread throughout the world, so most candidates should be able to find a testing center located at a convenient location. To find a CMA exam testing center, you’ll need to use Prometric’s testing center search feature.

If you visit the ICMA section of Prometric’s website , you will find a tool allowing you to search for testing centers by city, country, or zip code.

You do not need to select a testing center before you choose your testing dates. If you need to pass by a particular date, start by selecting your testing date and find a center that matches your needs. If you already have a testing date in mind, you can make use of Prometric’s seat availability tool when selecting a testing center.

From the Prometric landing page, click “Seat Availability Tool” and select a country and state. Clicking on the “Search for Availability” icon will allow you to select an exam part and testing center. Finally, clicking on “Availability” will take you to a calendar that displays the available dates and testing times.

Scheduling your exam appointment

The best way to schedule your exam is through the Prometric website .

You will need the following information to schedule the CMA exam:

Your name – This name must exactly match the name shown on your identification. Identification must be a valid, government-issued ID that shows your name in the English alphabet and includes your signature and photograph.
Social Security, Social Insurance, or Prometric Testing I.D. (SP#) Number
Exam number and title
ICMA authorization letter
Phone number
Mailing address
Email address

NOTE: You must have registered for your examination(s) with ICMA and received your authorization to test letter prior to scheduling your testing appointment.

How to schedule your CMA exam

Follow these steps to schedule your CMA exam online:

Go to Prometric’s ICMA website .

Click the “Schedule” button on the left-hand margin.

If you are making your appointment at a testing center, select “Schedule” under “Test Center Exam” and follow the prompts.
If you are making a remote testing appointment, select “Schedule” under “Remotely Proctored Exam” and follow the prompts.

Select the country and state (if applicable) where you will take the exam.

Read the information provided and click “Next.”

Read the policy information, confirm the statement provided, choose to consent to the policy, and click “Next.”

Enter your exam authorization number and the first four letters of your last name and click “Next.”

Follow the provided instructions to select your testing location and click “Schedule an Appointment.”

Read the provided information on biometric collection and disclosure, indicate your option, and click “Next.”

Click “Complete Registration.”

You will receive an email confirmation of your exam appointment.
You should bring this confirmation email to the testing center on the day of your appointment.

Scheduling a Prometric Test Drive

Prometric believes that “familiarizing yourself with the look and feel of the computer-based testing environment in advance of your exam will minimize pre-test mistakes,” and Gleim agrees! It’s a great idea to take the Prometric Test Drive before you sit for the CMA exam.

NOTE: The Gleim CMA Review System includes an Exam Rehearsal that will completely prepare you for the look, feel, interface, and length of the CMA exam. However, it does not replace the Prometric Test Drive.

The Prometric Test Drive is a $30 service that involves a 30-minute, real-world practice run of the test center experience at your chosen testing site. Physically visiting your testing center beforehand will provide you peace of mind on exam day. During your test drive, you’ll save exam-day stress by:

Finding the testing center – This is especially vital because sometimes construction can conceal the normal entrance or signs.
Determining your travel time – Traffic can drastically change how long it takes you to arrive at the testing center, so try to schedule your test drive for the same time and day of the week as your exam appointment.
Seeing your parking options – Small parking lots, limited street parking, or paid parking garages can throw a huge wrench into your exam day.
Checking the temperature of the center – Being even a bit cold or hot can become a real problem during a long exam.
Storing your possessions in the provided space – If your bag is too big for the locker, you’ll have to return it to your car.
Checking in and having your documentation confirmed – An expired license could be an insurmountable obstacle if you find out on exam day.

How to schedule a Prometric Test Drive

To schedule a Prometric Test Drive, you’ll follow the same steps as scheduling an exam:

Go to Prometric's website .

Select a testing center.

Fill out the required applicant information.

Pay the $30 fee for the test drive.

Confirm the appointment.

What will happen during the Prometric Test Drive

During your test drive, you’ll go through all of the testing procedures that you will have to undergo on exam day. These procedures include the following:

Checking in
Stowing your stuff
Having your ID and documentation checked
Being scanned by a hand-held metal detector wand
Getting your picture and fingerprints taken
Being led to a workstation
Completing a tutorial
Taking a generic sample test (this is not a CMA sample test)
Answering a survey of the experience
Filling out an end-of-test report
Checking out

Preparing for Your Remote Exam

If you’ve chosen remote proctoring for your CMA exam, follow these steps to reduce exam day stress and ensure your setup is ready:

A few weeks before your exam, complete a system check to make sure your computer is able to run the ProProctor application.
Download ProProctor, which will deliver your exam, ahead of time. You won’t need to run ProProctor until 30 minutes before your scheduled exam start time.
Read Prometric’s ProUser Guide so you know what to expect during your appointment.

What to expect on exam day

You’ll need to launch your exam 30 minutes before your scheduled start time for check-in. At check-in, you will have to complete an image and ID capture and a readiness checklist. Once completed, you’ll meet your Prometric Readiness Agent to provide your details and complete a 360° environmental check and a candidate person check.

Your exam will pause if you experience a power or internet disruption during your remotely proctored exam session. You have a 20-minute allowance for disruptions. Immediately try to reconnect to the exam by first closing the window, reopening your browser, and reconnecting to the test driver. If successful, your exam and timer will resume where you left off. If you’re unable to reconnect before your disruption allowance expires, your exam will be terminated and you will need to reschedule.

If this occurs, contact Prometric Help Support via chat or phone. Note that you are prohibited from having your phone with you in the room during testing.

Remote proctor Do’s:

Launch the ProProctor application 30 minute before your exam start time and begin the security process.
Have drinks, snacks, etc., on hand.
Wear very comfortable clothing.
Ensure your workspace is clear and orderly and that your room is well-lit.
If you are using a laptop, put it on a table or desk. Isolate yourself from people and pets. Interruptions could invalidate your exam.

Remote proctor Dont’s:

Eat, drink, smoke, or chew gum during your exam. Wait for your breaks.
Have personal items, especially your phone, accessible.
Change locations or adjust your lighting or audio during testing.

Remote Testing FAQs

When is remote testing available?

Remote testing is available 24/7. Schedule in advance to ensure the date and time you want are available.

What are the requirements for remote testing?

Prometric’s ProUserGuide has detailed system and testing location requirements. To confirm that your system will work with ProProctor, complete Prometric’s System Readiness Check.

How do I sign up for remote testing?

When scheduling your exam appointment, select “Schedule” under “Remotely Proctored Exam.”

Can I change my exam appointment from in-person to remote?

You can schedule a remote appointment, but you’ll first need to cancel your existing one. From Prometric’s website, click “Reschedule/Cancel,” then choose the “Schedule” option in “Remotely Proctored Exam.” There may be a rescheduling fee.

Is remote testing available in my country?

Remote testing is available everywhere except North Korea, Iran, Syria, Cuba, and the Crimea part of Ukraine. In China, remote proctoring is only available for the English language CMA exam.

What do I do if I lose power or internet during testing?

Your exam will pause if you experience a power or internet disruption during your remotely proctored exam session. You have a 20-minute allowance for disruptions. If you’re unable to reconnect before your disruption allowance expires, your exam will be terminated and you will need to reschedule.
If this occurs, contact Prometric Help Support via chat or phone.

Can I use scratch paper during a remote exam?

Yes, you can have four sheets of plain white paper. You’ll be required to must show each blank sheet to the proctor before of the exam and rip up the paper on camera at the end of the exam.

What can’t I have on my desk or around me during the exam?

Your phone must be in another room and your workstation must be quiet, well-lit, and free of pictures, office supplies, and electronic devices. You cannot eat, drink, smoke, or chew gum during the exam.

Learn more about CMA exam remote testing on IMA’s website .

Rescheduling or canceling a CMA exam appointment

If you need to change or cancel a testing appointment after you’ve scheduled it, you must notify Prometric.

Appointments may be altered using the Reschedule/Cancel option on the Prometric website , available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

You will need the confirmation number from your original appointment in order to reschedule or cancel your appointment. Make sure you follow all instructions. If you don’t, your reschedule or cancel request may not go through.

You may be required to pay a rescheduling fee or even forfeit your examination fee depending on when you notify Prometric. There is no fee if you contact Prometric to reschedule 31 or more days in advance. You will be charged a $50 fee if you reschedule within 3 to 30 days of the testing date. Rescheduling less than 3 days before the testing date will result in the full testing fee to be forfeited.

NOTE: If you need to reschedule your exam for another testing window, you will forfeit your exam registration fee.

What if I need testing accommodations for the CMA exam?

Prometric offers a wide variety of testing accommodations for qualified people. These include everything from adjustable desks for back injuries to text-to-speech software for the hearing impaired. Not all accommodations are available at all testing centers.

To request special accommodations, you will need to notify the ICMA at least two months prior to when you plan to sit for the CMA exam and before you have scheduled a CMA exam appointment.

ICMA Contact Information:

Phone: 1-800-638-4427
Fax: 201-474-1606
Email: IMA@imanet.org

You will also need to notify the Prometric testing center, but the ICMA must approve your testing accommodations prior to you requesting them from Prometric.

For additional information on Prometric’s testing accommodations, including the form needed to inform Prometric of approved testing accommodations, visit their website .

Candidates with special testing accommodations cannot schedule or reschedule their exam on Prometric’s website. They must call the Candidate Services Call Center (1-800-580-9648).

Candidates with special testing accommodations must schedule at least 10 days in advance of their testing date.

How to choose a CMA exam testing window

The CMA exam is offered during specific testing windows throughout the year, which means you’ll need to select a testing window that works best for you. There are two tactics most candidates employ when choosing a CMA testing window:

Schedule early and work toward your goal

After joining the ICMA’s CMA program, some candidates register for their testing window immediately. This option has it’s own pros and cons.

NOTE: This is the method Gleim recommends to most candidates.

Pros

Having a due date can provide motivation throughout your studies.
You are more likely to get your preferred exam day, time, and testing location. This can reduce your stress and decrease your travel time on exam day.

Cons

If you underestimate your study time or something comes up, you will need to reschedule your exam and potentially pay fees to do so. This is even worse if you miss the entire testing window and have to pay your exam registration fee all over again.
If you overestimate your study time, you may need to spend extra time refreshing so you don’t forget topics from your studies.

Study first and schedule once you feel prepared

Waiting to schedule your exam until you are prepared for the exam also offers unique pros and cons.

Pros

You know you’ll be prepared on exam day.
You potentially save money by avoiding rescheduling.
You won’t be distracted by a stressful deadline while you’re studying.

Cons

You may procrastinate because you don’t have a deadline.
You’re less likely to get your preferred exam day, time, and testing location, which can cause undue stress.
If your studies end between testing windows, you may need to wait before the CMA exam is available again.

What is the best way to pick your exam day?

Deciding on your exam day can be tricky. You need to balance choosing a day early enough to ensure you’ll actually have a seat on exam day with making sure your preparations will be complete prior to sitting for the CMA exam.

Determine your study schedule – How many hours can you dedicate to studying every week? Will there be any significant fluctuations in this number due to holidays, busy season, or other life concerns?

Write out your schedule on a calendar – Decide how many hours you’ll study each day and write it down. Plan for a few catch up days so you don’t fall behind and struggle to catch up.

Determine when you’ll be finished preparing – Everyone will have slightly different study needs, but on average, candidates spend about 150 hours studying for Part 1 and 110 studying for Part 2.

Find the testing window after your preparations will be complete – If you plan to be finished studying during a testing window, be careful about choosing a testing date at the end of a window. This will make rescheduling especially difficult if your study estimates are off.

Pick a testing date – An ideal testing date will be near the beginning of a testing window. This will alleviate stress because you’ll be more likely to reschedule your exam if something comes up.

Discuss your plan with an exam expert – Walking through your plan with an exam expert will help ensure you’re not missing anything. For example, Gleim Personal Counselors help thousands of candidates plan for their exams each testing window.

Register for your testing window and make your appointment – Remember, as long as you reschedule your exam within the same testing window and 31 days in advance, you won’t need to pay a fee to reschedule your appointment. Be sure to note the day and time of your testing appointment and the last day you can reschedule your exam (31 days before exam day for no fee; at least 3 days in advance for a $50 fee) on a calendar.

What part of the CMA exam should I schedule first?

We recommend most CMA candidates take Part 1 on the CMA exam first. Part 1 of the CMA exam can provide you with the foundational knowledge required to study for Part 2. This will help you maximize your study time and learn all of the exam content efficiently.

The exceptions to this rule are candidates with a strong background in finance and students who want to sit for the CMA exam during college.

Working Professional Exception

If you’ve been working in the fields of corporate finance, financial planning, commercial or investment banking, or money management for at least a few years, your experience will give you a head start on the Part 2 topics.

Student Exception

If you’re a junior in a university accounting program, your fall and spring semester courses can really help you get ready for Part 2, so we recommend you sit for it during the summer before your senior year.